Stevia is a sweet herb that is commonly grown for its leaves, which are used as a natural sweetener.
How to grow stevia ?
- Purchase Stevia seeds or plant cuttings: Stevia seeds can be purchased online or at a local nursery. Alternatively, you can also propagate Stevia by taking stem cuttings.
- Choose the right location: Stevia prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is a perennial plant but it can be grown as an annual in areas with cold winters.
- Plant the seeds or cuttings: Plant the seeds in seed trays or pots filled with seed compost or propagate the cuttings in water or a rooting hormone.
- Transplant the seedlings: Once the seedlings are big enough to handle, transplant them into larger pots or into the ground. If you live in a cold area, it’s best to grow Stevia in pots that can be moved indoors during the winter.
- Water and fertilize: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Stevia is not a heavy feeder, but you can fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.
- Pinch back: Pinch back the tips of the plants to encourage bushier growth. This also helps to prevent the plants from becoming too tall and leggy.
- Harvest leaves: Stevia leaves can be harvested as soon as the plant is established, but the best time to harvest is after the plant has flowered. Cut off the leaves and dry them in a cool, dry place for several days before storing them.
- Overwintering: If you’re growing Stevia in a cold climate, you’ll need to bring the plants indoors before the first frost. Keep them in a sunny room and water them sparingly.
Note: Stevia leaves are extremely sweet and can be used as a natural sweetener in a variety of foods and drinks. The leaves can be used fresh, dried, or powdered. The sweetening power of stevia is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It’s important to use it in moderation.
How to use Stevia in food?
Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. The leaves are extremely sweet, and can be used in a variety of foods and drinks to add sweetness without adding calories. Here are a few ways to use Stevia in food:
- As a sugar substitute: Stevia can be used as a sugar substitute in baking and cooking. You can use it to sweeten coffee, tea, and other beverages, as well as desserts and baked goods. Stevia can be used in a powdered or liquid form, and it can be added directly to recipes in place of sugar.
- As a condiment: Stevia leaves can be used fresh or dried as a condiment in salad dressings, marinades, and sauces.
- In homemade jams and jellies: Stevia can be used in place of sugar to make homemade jams and jellies. This is a great way to enjoy sweet spreads without adding calories.
- In yogurt and smoothies: Stevia can be added to yogurt and smoothies to sweeten them without adding calories.
- In ice cream: Stevia can be used to sweeten homemade ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.
- In fruits: Stevia can be used to sweeten fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and peaches when they’re not in season and not sweet enough.
Note: Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need to use much less of it. It’s also important to pay attention to the conversion ratios of stevia to sugar when using it in recipes. It’s recommended to start with small amounts and adjust to taste. Also, not all Stevia products are the same, some are more refined and purified than others, so the taste and sweetness levels can vary.
Make tea with Stevia
Making tea with Stevia is a simple process, and it is a great way to enjoy a sweet, calorie-free beverage. Here’s how to make tea with Stevia:
- Boil water: Bring a pot of water to a boil. The amount of water you use will depend on how many cups of tea you want to make.
- Steep your tea: Place the tea bag or loose tea leaves in the hot water and steep for the recommended time. Black and green tea can steep for 3-5 minutes while herbal teas can steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Sweeten with Stevia: Remove the tea bag or leaves and add Stevia to taste. Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need to use much less of it, usually a few drops or about 1/8 -1/4 tsp of powdered stevia. If you’re using liquid stevia, start with a few drops and adjust to taste.
- Enjoy: Stir the tea and enjoy it hot or cold. You can also add milk, cream, or lemon to your tea if you like.
Note: Stevia can have a slight licorice-like aftertaste, some people might like it, others might not. If you find it too strong you can mix it with other sweeteners like honey or sugar. Also, some teas may be more compatible with stevia than others, so you may want to experiment with different teas to find the one you like best.